Coon, Harry Andrew b. 26 Apr 1908 Roulette, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA d. 17 Nov 1930 Benner, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA: WETZEL Extended Family & More

Coon, Harry Andrew

1908 - 1930 (22 years)

Name	Coon, Harry Andrew [1]
Birth	26 Apr 1908	Roulette, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA [1, 2, 3, 4]
	20210715GHLn- Harry Andrew Coon in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1906-1911 Supplemental Report of Birth Name: Harry Andrew Coon Gender: Male Birth: 26 Apr 1908 Roulette twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Father: Bradley Coon Mother: Lulu Wade Certificate: 64961 Source Citation Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania (State). Birth certificates, 1906-1910; Box Number: 155; Certificate Number Range: 062612-065786 Source Information Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1906-1911 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Birth certificates, 1906-1911. Series 11.89 (50 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Gender	Male
Residence	1910	Roulette, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA [3]
census 1920	6 Jan 1920	Sweden Twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA [4]
	StreetAddress: Jersey Thore Turn Pike; Age: 11; AbleToSpeakEnglish: Yes; AttendedSchool: yes; CanRead: Yes; CanWrite: Yes; EnumerationDistrict: 132; Single MaritalStatus: Single; Son RelationToHead: Son
	20240216GHLn- Philo Brewster in the 1920 United States Federal Census date 6 January 1920 Wm C. White Name Philo Brewster Age 49 Birth abt 1871 Pennsylvania Home Sweden Twp, Potter, Pa Street Jersey Shore TurnPike Race White Gender Male Relation Head Status Widowed Father's New York Mother Elma Brewster her Birth New York English Yes Occ Laborer Industry Common Home Owned read Yes Write Yes Neighbors View others on page Household Philo Brewster 49 Head Elma Brewster 75 Mother Geoda Brewster 14 Son Bradley Coon 45 Head Katrina Coon 43 Wife Harry Coon 11 Son Keneth Coon 7 Son Leona Coon 5 Daughter Name Birth Arrival Residence Chas F Wells New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Ellen Wells Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA George Ayers Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Herbert L Ayers Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA John Ayers Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Albert Jordan Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Bradley Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Katrina Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Harry Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Keneth Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Leona Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Philo Brewster Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Elma Brewster New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Geoda Brewster Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Wm N Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Ida Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Florance Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA George Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Hoxie Roberts New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Annie Roberts Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Lydia Roberts Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Ella Roberts Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Wm Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Lula Gantzer New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Cecile Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Hazel Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Benj G Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Henry Ruscher New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Lindy Ruscher New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Orlando Austin Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Archie Austin Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Sarah Austin Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Edgar Stewart New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Hiram Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Della Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Gerald Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Mabel Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Edward Chens Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Winne Chens Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Willard Nelson Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Ellen Nelson Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Wm S Gates Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Nancy Gates Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Lex R Boyd New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Anne Boyd Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Doris Boyd Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Marion Boyd Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Roy Dovell Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Louis Dovell Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Bernice Dovell Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Year: 1920; Census Place: Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1648; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 132
jurisprudence	Abt 3 Nov 1924	Ulysses Twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
	Elmer Haxton & Harry Coon caught hunting without a license on Sunday by J.D. Barrier, game protector. Haxton fined $20 but Coon, age 18, was let off with a severe reprimand.
	20240216GHLn- Elmer Haxton & Harry Coon caught hunting without a license on Sunday by J.D. Barrier, game protector. Haxton fined $20 but Coon, age 18, was let off with a severe reprimand.
		Haxton & Coon hunting fine anc_BrianAdams 20240216GHLn- Brian Adams originally shared this article on 21 Jun 2020 from Newspapers.com Elmer Haxton fine and Harry Coon warning 1924 6 Nov 1924 Coudersport, Pennsylvania Linked to Elmer Roy Haxton Harry Andrew Coon Saved by alhaxjr1 Comments Elmer Haxton & Harry Coon caught hunting without a license on Sunday by J.D. Barrier, game…
murder	13 Sep 1930	Seven Bridges, Allegany, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA [5]
	The Potter Enterprise, Thu 18 Sept 1930 Harry Coons Confesses Murdering Mildred Cass, 6 Yrs Old.
	20210715GHLn- Clipping location on The Potter Enterprise page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 18 Sep 1930, Thu • Page 1 BY wetzupdoc · 15 July 2021 Most Atrocious Murder in History of Potter County Harry Coons Confesses Murdering Mildred Cass, 6 Yrs Old. COUDERSPORT, 57TH YEAR MOST ATROCIOUS ... Fiend Lures Girl of Six to Woods and Slashes Throat --Mutilates Body in Horrible Manner -- Posse of Hundreds Search Wide Territory to Find Missing Child -- Murderer Found in Abandoned House on Green Hill -- Finally Confesses Killing Girl and Makes Rough Map Showing Location of Body -- Angry Citizens Threaten to Storm Jail and Lynch Wretch. ----- Coroner's Jury Finds Mildred Cass Came to Violent Death by Wounds Inflicted by Harry Coon -- Premeditated Murder --Committed to Jail By Coroner --Murderer Befriended By Parents of Girl He Killed -- Will No Doubt Come to Trial at Term of Court That Convenes September 29 for Most Revolting Crime Ever Perpetrated in This Section of State. Potter County has no doubt had its full share of murders but the murder of Mildred Cass, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cass, who reside near Seven Bridges, by one Harry Coon, is the most atrocious ever recorded in this section of the Keystone State. Little Mildred, six years old, accompanied Harry Coon to a field a half mile distant from the farm home, where Coon was sent by Mr. Cass to repair a fence. This was the last time the child was seen alive by her parents. She may have wanted to go with the man or he may have enticed her to accompany him. Night came and neither Coon nor little Mildred appeared and the parents became alarmed. They made inquiry at the homes in the vicinity but no one had seen them. Mr. Cass came to Coudersport and notified Sheriff Shell B. Sawyer. He was advised to search all deserted buildings in the vicinity. This he did accompanied by Arthur Cole, who is employed on the Cass farm, and Tony Shaw of Oswayo. On Green Hill, in an old abandoned shack of a house, Coon was found. He was on the second floor of the ramshackle building covered by cloth and paper that had fallen from the ceiling. For a pillow he had an old automobile cushion. When he was asked, "Where is the baby" he repolied by asking "What baby?" He stated he had sent the child home and after receiving some rough treatment promised to lead the father and the two men who accompanied him to the point where he had last seen the child. At one time he took the party within a very short distance of where the body was found but he hesitated and took the men to another point where he said he had sent the child home. The father and others called repeatedly in the hope the little one might hear and answer. Coon even called and remarked, "Damn funny where she is," when he knew he had killed her and that her little body was lying in the woods in a terribly mutilated condition. Coon was finally taken to the Cass home, bound with rope and carefully guarded until next morning - Sunday - when Sheriff Sawyer took him in chains and brought him to the county jail. Sheriff Sawyer called many people on the telephone and asked aid in searching for the missing child. Officers were called upon, scout masters and others. At 9:00 o'clock Sunday morning the fire siren was sounded in Coudersport and hundreds of men and boys went over the hills and through the woods looking for the girl. In the meantime officers were constantly questioning Coon. Finally the prisoner admitted his crime and made a rough map of the territory on what is known as Green Hill in Allegany Township, two miles from the Cass home and thirteen miles from Coudersport. Potato fields, buckwheat fields and old roads were indicated on this crude drawing, and this led to the finding of the body. Many men had been within a short distance of the spot but it just so happened no one had found it. Ed Tucker of Colesburg was the person who made the ghastly find. With him and nearby was Delbert Snyder of Oswayo. A signal was given and men from all directions appeared on the scene. Coroner R. K. McConeghy took charge "at this point and the remains were taken in charge by E. M. Gillon of the firm of Schutt & Gillon. Feeling ran high. There were many fathers of little girls in that small army of men, and it is fortunate the party could not get their hands on Coon who was safely locked up in the county jail, thirteen miles away. The body was found at 2:15 Sunday afternoon. Later in the afternoon a large number gathered near the county jail and some ugly threats were made. The jail was well manned with officers and no attempt was made to mete out summary justice to the murderer even though there were men present who could have done so and felt they had ridded the earth of a loathsome being. The coroner's inquest was held at 'the court house Monday morning at 10:00 o'clock with Coroner R. K. McConeghy presiding, and District Attorney A. N. Crandall assisting in the questioning of witnesses. The jury consisted of George D. Stocum, William C. Klein, G. F. Wright, Fred B. Cole, C. L. Lyman and J. Vernon Dieffenbacher. A number of witnesses were sworn and questioned. Harry Cass, the father of Mildred, told of having bailed Coon out of jail, of sending him to fix the fence and of finding Coon late at night in the deserted house. Arthur Cole told of the search during Saturday night and of guarding the prisoner after returning to the Cass home. Dr. R. H. Jones, who with Dr. J. H. Page of Austin performed the autopsy, testified as to the mutilated condition of the body. Other witnesses gave their testimony. The jury visited the county jail and asked questions of Coon who would say little. When shown the knife that was in possession of the authorities he remarked "Yes, that's the knife I cut her throat with." After all the testimony was taken the jury deliberated but a short time when it agreed upon the following verdict: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Potter, ss: An inquisition indented and taken at Coudersport in Potter County, Pennsylvania, this 15th day of September, 1930, before me, R. K. McConeghy, M. D., coroner of said county, upon the view of the body of Mildred Cass, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of George D. Stocum, G. F. Wright, J. Vernon Dieffenbacher, William C. Klein,' C. L. Lyman and Fred B. Cole, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid; who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Mildred Cass came to her death, do say, upon their oath and affirmation, that the said Mil dred Cass came to a violent death on Saturday, September 13, in Allegany Township by wounds inflicted by one Harry Coon who with force and arms in said Allegany Township on September 13, 1930, violently, feloniously and of his malice aforethought, did make an assault upon the said Mildred Cass and then and there feloniously and of his malice aforethought, with some sharp instrument did cut the throat of said Mildred Cass and inflict other bodily wounds upon her body and thus violently, feloniously with premeditation and of his malice aforethought then and there did kill and murder the said Mildred Cass. Contrary to the form of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And the said jury aforesaid further advise that for such willful, deliberate and premeditated murder that the coroner issue his commitment to detain the said Harry Coon to answer said charge of murder before the grand jury of Potter County. In witness whereof, as well the said coroner, as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands and seals, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned. This document bears the signatures of the coroner and of the jurors mentioned above. Harry Coon is a prisoner In the county jail where he has all the time there is to meditate upon his crime. It was at first stated the murder was committed because Arthur Dole was sent to Colesburg on an errand while Coon was sent to repair the fence and that Coon wanted to make the trip; that Coon was angry and killed the little girl to spite the father. Later admissions from Coon tend to show he is a sexual pervert and that a little girl's life was sacrificed because of his brutality. A description of the mutilation of the child's body and what followed the murder, confessed by Coon Monday afternoon, is too revolting to be published. Harry Coon was 23 years old last April 26. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Coon both of whom are dead. He has a brother and sister in Olean, a brother near Wellsboro, a sister at Roulette and one at Oswayo. Only a few weeks ago the country was shocked by a double murder in Niagara Falls when Charles Ross entered a small mission where he shot and killed Mrs. Ross and the evangelist as the latter left the pulpit. Ross also shot Miss Leona Coon, a sister of Mrs. Ross but Miss Coon recovered. Both Mrs. Ross and Miss Coon are sisters of the confessed murderer. Coon has been charged with forging the name of Harry Cass on a check at Roulette upon which he and another youth secured some $30 or $40. This case is still hanging fire in the local courts. The prisoner is about five feet, nine inches in height and weighs about 160 pounds and is of sandy complexion. He talks readily upon other subjects than his crime and appears of ordinary intelligence. It is expected he will come before the grand jury at the term of court that convenes Monday, September 29, and the public hopes there may be a prompt trial with the punishment he deserves meted out to him. Mildred Cass was one of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cass. Funeral services were held from the family home Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock with Rev. N. Johnstone of the Baptist Church at Ulysses officiating. The funeral was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. Burial was made at Ulysses. - ARTHUR COLE KNOWN IN WELLSVILLE Arthur Cole, fellow farmhand of Harry Coon, confessed mur- derer of the six year old daughter of their employer, Harry Cass, in Coudersport, Pa., is not unknown to police here and county authorities. Cole was arrested here for in- toxication last month and was sentenced to ten days in the county jail at Belmont by Police Justice P. L. O'Connor on August 15. He served his time and was discharged. Wellsville Reporter of Tuesday. COLESBURG STORE ENTERED BY YEGGS Steal Quantity of Shoes Clothing, Pocket Knives and Case of Eggs Ready for Shipment. Thieves entered the general store of Ed Tucker at Colesburg Monday night and made off with merchandise estimated to be worth $150. Entrance was gained by prying open a sliding door on the east side of the building which leads into a room used for storage. From there thieves entered the store proper. It was evident the motor car used by the yeggs was left standing near the C. & P. A. station as a pair of knickers for a boy aged 14 had been dropped there, as well as one of a pair of high top shoes for a man. The loot consisted of clothing, shoes, pocket knives and a full case of eggs packed ready for shipment. Ray Scoville, who is employed in the store, discovered the place had been robbed when he opened the store Tuesday morning. Inquiry In the neighborhood failed to find anyone who had seen the thieves but Mrs. Birney Baker stated she heard a car shifting gears about 3:00 o'clock Tuesday morning. LIONS WIN GAME IN BATTLE HERE Beasts of Jungle Load Up With Players Outside Organization and Win 15 to 7. When the Farmers came to town Saturday to do battle on the ball ground at Metzger Athletic Field they found not only Lions but some artists along base ball lines who had never attended a Lions Club luncheon and wouldn't know one from a dish of chop suey. The sturdy agriculturists were not at all dismayed by the lineup and the fight was on. When the dust had settled and the notches on the stick were counted it was found the Lions had 15 runs to their credit and the Farmers 7. The Farmers took their defeat like the good sportsmen they are and immediately challenged the Lions ' for another contest, each team now having won a game. The challenge was accepted and the date set for Thursday, October 2, when the closing game of the season will be played and the question of supremacy be settled for the year. Tne game will be played at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon and no doubt there will be a larger crowd present than at either of the other games. One thing Is certain the people of Coudersport appreciate what the Farmers have done In coming here to play these games, paying their own expenses and turning all of the proceeds of the games over to the swimming pool fund. MRS. MITCHELL HONORED Members of her family gave Mrs. Isaac Mitchell - a very pleasant surprise party, Saturday, it being her birthday. Mrs. George Mitchell presented her with a beautiful birthday cake with candles. She also received many congratulations and fine gifts from all. A delicious lunch was served and those who enjoyed this happy occasion were: Mr. and Mrs. George Mitchell and son Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Huff, Mrs. John Gabler, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Quimby, Albert Mlt chell, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Mitchell. LEAVING FOR SOUTH AMERICA Mrs. R. H. Lehman, who has been spending some time at Williamsville, N. Y., is visiting friends in town for a few days before going on to New York City from which port she will sail for Santos, Brazil, where she will visit her son, Rev. Howard Lehman, who is stationed there as a Lutheran missionary. She will spend several months with him. SCHOOL MEN DINE County Superintendent A. P. Ake-ley, Assistant Superintendent Paul H. Conner and all principals of the Potter County schools dined at the Hotel National Tuesday evening, followed with a very interesting meeting. Covers were laid for ten. Clipping location on The Potter Enterprise page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 18 Sep 1930, Thu • Page 1 BY wetzupdoc · 15 July 2021
Trial	2 Oct 1930	Coudersport, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA [6]
	Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair.
	20210806GHLn- Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1 BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021 Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. Murderer of Little Mildred Cass Learns Fate at 4:41 Yesterday Afternoon List of Jurors Who Served Brief History of Case Attorney for Defendant Makes Earnest Plea Coon Unmoved Apparently When Sentenced to Die in Chair Crowds Fill Court Room and Many Cannot Gain Admittance Date of Ex ecution Must Be Fixed By Governor. "Guilty of murder in the first degree!" In the court room, filled to capacity, there was silence. The jury that had heard the evidence in the case of the Commonwealth versus Harry Coon had reached this verdict and at 4:41 yesterday afternoon George A. Clark, foreman, announced it to the court. Harry Coon seemed , less nervous and less concerned than court officers, witnesses and spectators. There was no change in his expression. The jury was polled at the request of the attorney for the defendant and each of the ten men and two women answered audibly "Yes." The condemned man stood up and faced the court with head lowered. Asked if there was any reason why the death sentence should not be imposed upon him he did not immediately reply. In a low voice he finally answered with the monosyllable "No." Judge Robert R. Lewis immediately thereafter at 4:46 pronounced the sentence prescribed by the act of assembly of 1913, which reads: "Such punishment in every case, must be inflicted uy causing to pass tnrougn tne Doay oi tne convict a current of electricity of intensity sufficient to cause death, and the application of such current must be continued until such convict is dead. The said punishment shall be inflicted by the warden or deputy warden of the Western Penitentiary, or by such person as the warden shall designate, in a building on land ownejj by the Commonwealth in Center County." The case had been given to the jury and that body retired to its deliberations at 3:15. By all means the most Important case to come before the present term 'cl court, at which Judge Robert R. ' Lewis Is presiding, has been the Coon-Cass murder case. The Enterprise has told in. recent issues the story of the murder of lit-tle Mildred Cass, the six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Cass, who reside two miles above Seven Bridges on the river road.' Eriefly told the story is as follows: Harry Coon was employed on the Cass farm. On Saturday afternoon, September 13, he was sent to a back lot to be a fence. The child accompanied him. When supper time came on the farm, and neither Coon nor little Mildred appeared the family became alarmed. Inquiry was made In the the neighborhood but no trace of the missing ones was found. About 8:00 HARRY COON o'clock in the evening Mr. Cass came to Coudersport and notified Sheriff S. B. Sawyer. That official advised the father to return home and search all vacant or aDanaonea Duuaings oi tne vicinity. Cass did as directed, accompanied by Arthur Cole and Tony Shaw. Find Coon in Vacant House About midnight after going through several vacant houses they came to one on what is known as the Peter Jordan farm. This is remote from neighbors in an isolated spot and some distance from a public road. Cole and Shaw entered the building and found no one on the first floor. On the second floor under cloth and paper that had come loose from the wall and ceiling they found Coon apparently asleep. Professed Ignorance Coon claimed he had sent the child home and agreed to take the party where he had last seen the child At a point some two miles distant he entered a piece of woods going almost to the spot where the body was later found, but he claimed he could not be sure of his location and took the three men in a different direction. Bound With Ropes After traveling through woods and briars it was finally decided to take Coon to the Cass residence and hold him until next day. He was bound with ropes and a watch kept over him. Hundreds Search for Child Next morning Sheriff Sawyer was notified of the finding of Coon and informed that little Mildred was still missing. The fire alarm was sounded In Coudersport at 9:00 o'clock and the telephone was used in other sections and probably not less than 500 men; and boys searched the woods and fields. In the meantime officers were trying to get from Coon the story of what had happened, the man having been brought to the county jail. Makes Confession About 11:00 o'clock Sunday Coon confessed to having killed the child. He made a rough map and by its aid the body was found by Ed Tucker of Colesburg and Delbert Snyder of Os-wayo. The child's throat had been cut and the body horribly mutilated. Threats of Lynching Peeling ran high against the man who could have committed so horrible a crime. There were threats of taking the prisoner from the jail and meting out summary justice but no attempt was made to carry out these threats. Coroner Takes Charge Coroner R. K. . McConeghy took charge and on Monday a jury heard the evidence. It was composed of George D. Stocum, William C. Klein, George P. Wright, Fred B. Cole, C. L. Lyman and J. Vernon Dleffenbacher. This jury found Mildred Cass had come to her death at the hands of Harry Coon and he was charged" with willful, deliberate, premeditated murder. He was placed in jail on a coroner's commitment to await trial at the present term of court. Attorney Appointed Attorney P. A. Stebbins was ap pointed by the court to defend the prisoner, and Dr. Mitchell of Warren, was called to examine the prisoner as to his mental condition. This eminent authority found the man to be responsible for his acts. Jury Is Selected The panel of 41 jurors called for court this week was examined Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning and from this number nine were selected to serve on the case to be tried. The court room doors were closed and fifteen spectators were summoned. Three more were selected. The jury when completed was composed of the following with George A. Clark of Gale-ton foreman: Curt Cochran, farmer, Summit. John Beckman, laborer, Coudersport George Nickerson, farmer, Ulysses. Dana Burdick, farmer, South Sharon. Ora Kemp, farmer, Oswayo. ' W. J. Clark, farmer, Bingham. E. A. White, merchant, South Shar- of is better to of I the- All George A. Clark, car shop foreman, Galeton. Mrs. Alice Kline, housewife, Galeton. Clate Gallup, retired, Coudersport. Mrs. W. B. Hemphill, housewife, Hebron. C. L. Woodcock, laborer, Coudersport. Court Takes Evidence The taking of evidence began with the opening of the session at 2:00 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Harry Cass, the father of the murdered child, was the first witness called. He was followed on the stand by Arthur Cole, Tony Shaw, Dr. J. H. Page, Dr. Ross H. Jones, Coroner R. K. McConeghy, Ed Tucker and others. There was little cross examination by Attorney Stebbins for the defendant and at the conclusion of the Commonwealth's testimony there were no witnesses for the defendant. Attorneys Address Jury Attorney Stebbins addressed the jury and made a plea for the defendant. He has been highly complimented for his effort in behalf of Coon. This was followed by the remarks of District Attorney Crandall who reviewed to some extent the testimony presented. Mr. Crandall con cluded his address at noon yesterday. Court Instructs Jury When court convened at 2:00 o'clock 20210806GHLn- CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1 BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021 cont'd ... yesterday afternoon Judge Lewis instructed the jury as to its duties and very carefully informed them as to the law. His instructions were explicit and he was painstaking in giving them. Jury Retires at 3:15 The jury retired at 3:15 and deliberated. Shortly after 4:00 o'clock a verdict was agreed upon and the prisoner was taken from the jail fo the court room. Its verdict is given above. Only Third in History This is only the third first degree verdict in the history of Potter County. It is the first one in 25 years. The first murder was Farmer Jones who some fifty years ago killed his wife in the vicinity of Ellisburg. Jones was jailed, escaped, was recaptured and finally sold his body to physicians to be delivered after the execution by hanging. The body was taken to Whitesville where Dr. French of Coudersport and Dr. Thorpe of Whitesville dissected it. The second murder case was that of Charles Brewster who shot his step-father, Marshall Stryker. Brewster was convicted when tried at the September term of court 25 years ago. He was executed in the jail yard here by hanging. W. A. Stevens was sheriff at that time.
Execution	17 Nov 1930	Benner, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA [7]
	Harry Coon, 23-year-old-farm hand, died in the electric chair at Rockview penitentiary today for the murder of six-year-old Mildred Cass. Coon went to the chair refusing to make any statement.
	20210715GHLn- Harry Coon Executed by Electrocution at Rockview for Murder of 6 year old Mildred Cass. Clipping location on The Times-Mail page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Times-Mail Bedford, Indiana 17 Nov 1930, Mon • Page 1 wetzupdoc Member Photo BYwetzupdoc · 15 July 2021 GIRL'S SLAYER DIES IN CHAIR Pennsylvania Farm Hand Goes To Death Without Making Statement BELLEFONTE, Pm., Nov. 17 (AP) Harry Coon, 23-year-old-farm hand, died in the electric chair at Rockview penitentiary today for the murder of six-year-old Mildred Cass. Coon went to the chair refusing to make any statement. Coon was arrested on Sept. 14, of this year, the day after the slaying of the little girl, the daughter of his employer, H. D. Cass, on the farm near Couder-port. Coon beat and stabbed the child to death and threw her body on a rubbish heap. He told authorities Cass had reprimanded him and he made up his mind to get even. Clipping location on The Times-Mail page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Times-Mail Bedford, Indiana 17 Nov 1930, Mon • Page 1 wetzupdoc Member Photo BYwetzupdoc · 15 July 2021
Race	White [2, 4]
Name	Harry Coon [2, 3, 4]
Death	17 Nov 1930	Benner, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA [2]
	20210715GHLn- Harry Coon in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1967 Name: Harry Coon Gender: Male Race: White Age: 23y single occ: Laborer Birth: abt 1907 Pennsylvania resid: Roulette, PA Death: 17 Nov 1930 07:06 Benner, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA cause: Judicial Elctrocution 202a 2,000 V, 14 amp signed: W.A. Barrett, MD West Penetentiary, Bellefonte, PA burial: Penetentiary Plot Bellefonte inform: Mrs. Joseph Fatur? (sister) Certificate: 104788 Source Citation Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number Range: 102501-105500 Source Information Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1967 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906-1968. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Age: 23y Executed, electrocution
Person ID	I86245	WETZEL-SPRING

Father	Coon, Bradley D., b. 14 Apr 1874, Roulette Twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA d. 1 Mar 1930, Wrights, Liberty, McKean, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 55 years)
Relationship	natural
Mother	Wade, Lula M., b. 18 Oct 1876, West Pike, Pike, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA d. 31 Mar 1919, Sweden Twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA (Age 42 years)
Relationship	natural
Marriage	25 May 1896	Coudersport, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA [3]
Family ID	F52718	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Event Map

	Birth - 26 Apr 1908 - Roulette, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
	Residence - 1910 - Roulette, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
	census 1920 - StreetAddress: Jersey Thore Turn Pike; Age: 11; AbleToSpeakEnglish: Yes; AttendedSchool: yes; CanRead: Yes; CanWrite: Yes; EnumerationDistrict: 132; Single MaritalStatus: Single; Son RelationToHead: Son - 6 Jan 1920 - Sweden Twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
	jurisprudence - Elmer Haxton & Harry Coon caught hunting without a license on Sunday by J.D. Barrier, game protector. Haxton fined $20 but Coon, age 18, was let off with a severe reprimand. - Abt 3 Nov 1924 - Ulysses Twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
	Trial - Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. - 2 Oct 1930 - Coudersport, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA

= Link to Google Earth

Photos » Slide Show		Coon, Harry Guilty 1stDegree Murder 19301002 news_PottEnt 20210806GHLn- Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1 BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021 Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. Murderer of Little Mildred Cass Learns Fate at 4:41 Yesterday Afternoon List of…
		Coons, Harry murdered Margaret Cass news_PottEnt 20210715GHLn- Clipping location on The Potter Enterprise page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 18 Sep 1930, Thu • Page 1 BY wetzupdoc · 15 July 2021 Most Atrocious Murder in History of Potter County Harry Coons Confesses Murdering Mildred Cass, 6 Yrs Old. COUDERSPORT, 57TH YEAR MOST ATROCIOUS ... Fiend Lures…
		PA birth cert 19080426 Harry Andrew Coon.jpg 20210715GHLn- Harry Andrew Coon in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1906-1911 Supplemental Report of Birth Name: Harry Andrew Coon Gender: Male Birth: 26 Apr 1908 Roulette twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA Father: Bradley Coon Mother: Lulu Wade Certificate: 64961 Source Citation Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg,…
		Coon, Harry executed 19301117 news_PottEnt 20210715GHLn- Harry Coon Executed by Electrocution at Rockview for Murder of 6 year old Mildred Cass. Clipping location on The Times-Mail page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Times-Mail Bedford, Indiana 17 Nov 1930, Mon • Page 1 wetzupdoc Member Photo BYwetzupdoc · 15 July 2021 GIRL'S SLAYER DIES IN CHAIR Pennsylvania Farm Hand Goes To Death Without…
		Coon, Harry Guilty 1stDegree Murder contd 19301002 news_PottEnt 20210806GHLn- CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1 BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021 cont'd ... yesterday afternoon Judge Lewis instructed the jury as to its duties and very carefully informed them as to the law. His instructions were explicit and he was painstaking in giving them. Jury Retires at…
		census 1920 USA PA Potter Sweden 132_5A Philo Brewster.jpg 20240216GHLn- Philo Brewster in the 1920 United States Federal Census date 6 January 1920 Wm C. White Name Philo Brewster Age 49 Birth abt 1871 Pennsylvania Home Sweden Twp, Potter, Pa Street Jersey Shore TurnPike Race White Gender Male Relation Head Status Widowed Father's New York Mother Elma Brewster her Birth New…
		Haxton & Coon hunting fine anc_BrianAdams 20240216GHLn- Brian Adams originally shared this article on 21 Jun 2020 from Newspapers.com Elmer Haxton fine and Harry Coon warning 1924 6 Nov 1924 Coudersport, Pennsylvania Linked to Elmer Roy Haxton Harry Andrew Coon Saved by alhaxjr1 Comments Elmer Haxton & Harry Coon caught hunting without a license on Sunday by J.D. Barrier, game…

Notes

20210715GHLn-
Clipping location on The Potter Enterprise page 1
CLIPPED FROM
The Potter Enterprise
Coudersport, Pennsylvania
18 Sep 1930, Thu • Page 1
BY wetzupdoc · 15 July 2021

Most Atrocious Murder in History of Potter County
Harry Coons Confesses Murdering Mildred Cass, 6 Yrs Old.

COUDERSPORT, 57TH YEAR
MOST ATROCIOUS ...
Fiend Lures Girl of Six to Woods and Slashes Throat --Mutilates Body in Horrible Manner -- Posse of Hundreds Search Wide Territory to Find Missing Child -- Murderer Found in Abandoned House on Green Hill -- Finally Confesses Killing Girl and Makes Rough Map Showing Location of Body -- Angry Citizens Threaten to Storm Jail and Lynch Wretch.
-----
Coroner's Jury Finds Mildred Cass Came to Violent Death by Wounds Inflicted by Harry Coon -- Premeditated Murder --Committed to Jail By Coroner --Murderer Befriended By Parents of Girl He Killed -- Will No Doubt Come to Trial at Term of Court That Convenes September 29 for Most Revolting Crime Ever Perpetrated in This Section of State.

Potter County has no doubt had its full share of murders but the murder of Mildred Cass, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cass, who reside near Seven Bridges, by one Harry Coon, is the most atrocious ever recorded in this section of the Keystone State.
Little Mildred, six years old, accompanied Harry Coon to a field a half mile distant from the farm home, where Coon was sent by Mr. Cass to repair a fence. This was the last time the child was seen alive by her parents. She may have wanted to go with the man or he may have enticed her to accompany him. Night came and neither Coon nor little Mildred appeared and the parents became alarmed. They made inquiry at the homes in the vicinity but no one had seen them.
Mr. Cass came to Coudersport and notified Sheriff Shell B. Sawyer. He was advised to search all deserted buildings in the vicinity. This he did accompanied by Arthur Cole, who is employed on the Cass farm, and Tony Shaw of Oswayo. On Green Hill, in an old abandoned shack of a house, Coon was found. He was on the second floor of the ramshackle building covered by cloth and paper that had fallen from the ceiling. For a pillow he had an old automobile cushion. When he was asked, "Where is the baby" he repolied by asking "What baby?" He stated he had sent the child home and after receiving some rough treatment promised to lead the father and the two men who accompanied him to the point where he had last seen the child. At one time he took the party within a very short distance of where the body was found but he hesitated and took the men to another point where he said he had sent the child home.
The father and others called repeatedly in the hope the little one might hear and answer. Coon even called and remarked, "Damn funny where she is," when he knew he had killed her and that her little body was lying in the woods in a terribly mutilated condition.
Coon was finally taken to the Cass home, bound with rope and carefully guarded until next morning - Sunday - when Sheriff Sawyer took him in chains and brought him to the county jail.
Sheriff Sawyer called many people on the telephone and asked aid in searching for the missing child. Officers were called upon, scout masters and others. At 9:00 o'clock Sunday morning the fire siren was sounded in Coudersport and hundreds of men and boys went over the hills and through the woods looking for the girl. In the meantime officers were constantly questioning Coon. Finally the prisoner admitted his crime and made a rough map of the territory on what is known as Green Hill in Allegany Township, two miles from the Cass home and thirteen miles from Coudersport. Potato fields, buckwheat fields and old roads were indicated on this crude drawing, and this led to the finding of the body. Many men had been within a short distance of the spot but it just so happened no one had found it. Ed Tucker of Colesburg was the person who made the ghastly find. With him and nearby was Delbert Snyder of Oswayo.
A signal was given and men from all directions appeared on the scene. Coroner R. K. McConeghy took charge "at this point and the remains were taken in charge by E. M. Gillon of the firm of Schutt & Gillon.
Feeling ran high. There were many fathers of little girls in that small army of men, and it is fortunate the party could not get their hands on Coon who was safely locked up in the county jail, thirteen miles away. The body was found at 2:15 Sunday afternoon.
Later in the afternoon a large number gathered near the county jail and some ugly threats were made. The jail was well manned with officers and no attempt was made to mete out summary justice to the murderer even though there were men present who could have done so and felt they had ridded the earth of a loathsome being.
The coroner's inquest was held at 'the court house Monday morning at 10:00 o'clock with Coroner R. K. McConeghy presiding, and District Attorney A. N. Crandall assisting in the questioning of witnesses.
The jury consisted of George D. Stocum, William C. Klein, G. F. Wright, Fred B. Cole, C. L. Lyman and J. Vernon Dieffenbacher.
A number of witnesses were sworn and questioned. Harry Cass, the father of Mildred, told of having bailed Coon out of jail, of sending him to fix the fence and of finding Coon late at night in the deserted house. Arthur Cole told of the search during Saturday night and of guarding the prisoner after returning to the Cass home. Dr. R. H. Jones, who with Dr. J. H. Page of Austin performed the autopsy, testified as to the mutilated condition of the body. Other witnesses gave their testimony. The jury visited the county jail and asked questions of Coon who would say little. When shown the knife that was in possession of the authorities he remarked "Yes, that's the knife I cut her throat with." After all the testimony was taken the jury deliberated but a short time when it agreed upon the following verdict: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Potter, ss:
An inquisition indented and taken at Coudersport in Potter County, Pennsylvania, this 15th day of September, 1930, before me, R. K. McConeghy, M. D., coroner of said county, upon the view of the body of Mildred Cass, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of George D. Stocum, G. F. Wright, J. Vernon Dieffenbacher, William C. Klein,' C. L. Lyman and Fred B. Cole, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid; who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Mildred Cass came to her death, do say, upon their oath and affirmation, that the said Mil dred Cass came to a violent death on Saturday, September 13, in Allegany Township by wounds inflicted by one Harry Coon who with force and arms in said Allegany Township on September 13, 1930, violently, feloniously and of his malice aforethought, did make an assault upon the said Mildred Cass and then and there feloniously and of his malice aforethought, with some sharp instrument did cut the throat of said Mildred Cass and inflict other bodily wounds upon her body and thus violently, feloniously with premeditation and of his malice aforethought then and there did kill and murder the said Mildred Cass.
Contrary to the form of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
And the said jury aforesaid further advise that for such willful, deliberate and premeditated murder that the coroner issue his commitment to detain the said Harry Coon to answer said charge of murder before the grand jury of Potter County.
In witness whereof, as well the said coroner, as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands and seals, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.
This document bears the signatures of the coroner and of the jurors mentioned above.
Harry Coon is a prisoner In the county jail where he has all the time there is to meditate upon his crime.
It was at first stated the murder was committed because Arthur Dole was sent to Colesburg on an errand while Coon was sent to repair the fence and that Coon wanted to make the trip; that Coon was angry and killed the little girl to spite the father. Later admissions from Coon tend to show he is a sexual pervert and that a little girl's life was sacrificed because of his brutality.
A description of the mutilation of the child's body and what followed the murder, confessed by Coon Monday afternoon, is too revolting to be published.
Harry Coon was 23 years old last April 26. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Coon both of whom are dead. He has a brother and sister in Olean, a brother near Wellsboro, a sister at Roulette and one at Oswayo.
Only a few weeks ago the country was shocked by a double murder in Niagara Falls when Charles Ross entered a small mission where he shot and killed Mrs. Ross and the evangelist as the latter left the pulpit. Ross also shot Miss Leona Coon, a sister of Mrs. Ross but Miss Coon recovered. Both Mrs. Ross and Miss Coon are sisters of the confessed murderer.
Coon has been charged with forging the name of Harry Cass on a check at Roulette upon which he and another youth secured some $30 or $40. This case is still hanging fire in the local courts.
The prisoner is about five feet, nine inches in height and weighs about 160 pounds and is of sandy complexion. He talks readily upon other subjects than his crime and appears of ordinary intelligence. It is expected he will come before the grand jury at the term of court that convenes Monday, September 29, and the public hopes there may be a prompt trial with the punishment he deserves meted out to him.
Mildred Cass was one of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cass. Funeral services were held from the family home Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock with Rev. N. Johnstone of the Baptist Church at Ulysses officiating. The funeral was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. Burial was made at Ulysses. -

ARTHUR COLE KNOWN IN WELLSVILLE
Arthur Cole, fellow farmhand of Harry Coon, confessed mur- derer of the six year old daughter of their employer, Harry Cass, in Coudersport, Pa., is not unknown to police here and county authorities.
Cole was arrested here for in- toxication last month and was sentenced to ten days in the county jail at Belmont by Police Justice P. L. O'Connor on August 15. He served his time and was discharged. Wellsville Reporter of Tuesday.

COLESBURG STORE ENTERED BY YEGGS
Steal Quantity of Shoes Clothing, Pocket Knives and Case of Eggs Ready for Shipment.
Thieves entered the general store of Ed Tucker at Colesburg Monday night and made off with merchandise estimated to be worth $150. Entrance was gained by prying open a sliding door on the east side of the building which leads into a room used for storage. From there thieves entered the store proper. It was evident the motor car used by the yeggs was left standing near the C. & P. A. station as a pair of knickers for a boy aged 14 had been dropped there, as well as one of a pair of high top shoes for a man.
The loot consisted of clothing, shoes, pocket knives and a full case of eggs packed ready for shipment.
Ray Scoville, who is employed in the store, discovered the place had been robbed when he opened the store Tuesday morning. Inquiry In the neighborhood failed to find anyone who had seen the thieves but Mrs. Birney Baker stated she heard a car shifting gears about 3:00 o'clock Tuesday morning.

LIONS WIN GAME IN BATTLE HERE
Beasts of Jungle Load Up With Players Outside Organization and Win 15 to 7. When the Farmers came to town Saturday to do battle on the ball ground at Metzger Athletic Field they found not only Lions but some artists along base ball lines who had never attended a Lions Club luncheon and wouldn't know one from a dish of chop suey. The sturdy agriculturists were not at all dismayed by the lineup and the fight was on. When the dust had settled and the notches on the stick were counted it was found the Lions had 15 runs to their credit and the Farmers 7. The Farmers took their defeat like the good sportsmen they are and immediately challenged the Lions ' for another contest, each team now having won a game. The challenge was accepted and the date set for Thursday, October 2, when the closing game of the season will be played and the question of supremacy be settled for the year. Tne game will be played at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon and no doubt there will be a larger crowd present than at either of the other games. One thing Is certain the people of Coudersport appreciate what the Farmers have done In coming here to play these games, paying their own expenses and turning all of the proceeds of the games over to the swimming pool fund.

MRS. MITCHELL HONORED Members of her family gave Mrs. Isaac Mitchell - a very pleasant surprise party, Saturday, it being her birthday. Mrs. George Mitchell presented her with a beautiful birthday cake with candles. She also received many congratulations and fine gifts from all. A delicious lunch was served and those who enjoyed this happy occasion were: Mr. and Mrs. George Mitchell and son Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Huff, Mrs. John Gabler, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Quimby, Albert Mlt chell, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Mitchell.

LEAVING FOR SOUTH AMERICA Mrs. R. H. Lehman, who has been spending some time at Williamsville, N. Y., is visiting friends in town for a few days before going on to New York City from which port she will sail for Santos, Brazil, where she will visit her son, Rev. Howard Lehman, who is stationed there as a Lutheran missionary. She will spend several months with him.

SCHOOL MEN DINE County Superintendent A. P. Ake-ley, Assistant Superintendent Paul H. Conner and all principals of the Potter County schools dined at the Hotel National Tuesday evening, followed with a very interesting meeting. Covers were laid for ten.

Clipping location on The Potter Enterprise page 1
CLIPPED FROM
The Potter Enterprise
Coudersport, Pennsylvania
18 Sep 1930, Thu • Page 1
BY wetzupdoc · 15 July 2021

Sources

[S1126] Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania, Birth Records, 1906-1908, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2015;), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania (State). Birth certificates, 1906–1910; Box Number: 155; Certificate Number Range: 062612-065786.
Record for Harry Andrew Coon (8) facts
20210715GHLn-
20210715GHLn-
Harry Andrew Coon in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1906-1911
Supplemental Report of Birth
Name: Harry Andrew Coon
Gender: Male
Birth: 26 Apr 1908
Roulette twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Father: Bradley Coon
Mother: Lulu Wade
Certificate: 64961

Source Citation
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania (State). Birth certificates, 1906-1910; Box Number: 155; Certificate Number Range: 062612-065786

Source Information
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1906-1911 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.
Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Birth certificates, 1906-1911. Series 11.89 (50 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

PA birth cert 19080426 Harry Andrew Coon.jpg
20210715GHLn-
Harry Andrew Coon in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1906-1911
Supplemental Report of Birth
Name: Harry Andrew Coon
Gender: Male
Birth: 26 Apr 1908
Roulette twp, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Father: Bradley Coon
Mother: Lulu Wade
Certificate: 64961

Source Citation
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg,…

[S1127] Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1964, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2014;), Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number Range: 102501-105500.
Record for Harry Coon (5) facts
20210715GHLn-
20210715GHLn-
Harry Coon in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1967
Name: Harry Coon
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 23y
single
occ: Laborer
Birth: abt 1907
Pennsylvania
resid: Roulette, PA
Death: 17 Nov 1930 07:06
Benner, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA
cause: Judicial Elctrocution
202a
2,000 V, 14 amp
signed: W.A. Barrett, MD
West Penetentiary, Bellefonte, PA
burial: Penetentiary Plot
Bellefonte
inform: Mrs. Joseph Fatur?
(sister)
Certificate: 104788

Source Citation
Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, PA; Pennsylvania (State). Death Certificates, 1906-1968; Certificate Number Range: 102501-105500

Source Information
Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1967 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
Original data: Pennsylvania (State). Death certificates, 1906-1968. Series 11.90 (1,905 cartons). Records of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Record Group 11. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

PA death cert 19301117 executed- Harry Coon.jpg
20210715GHLn-
Harry Coon in the Pennsylvania, U.S., Death Certificates, 1906-1967
Name: Harry Coon
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 23y
single
occ: Laborer
Birth: abt 1907
Pennsylvania
resid: Roulette, PA
Death: 17 Nov 1930 07:06
Benner, Centre, Pennsylvania, USA
cause: Judicial Elctrocution
202a
2,000 V, 14 amp
signed: W.A. Barrett, MD
West…

[S2570] Public Member Trees 2022, Hoffman Family Tree - NH Nicholas Hoffman / Bradley D Coon (57) facts 20220817GHLn- /sse.dll?db=1030&h=330196277553&indiv=try.
Record for Bradley D Coon (57) facts
20220817GHLn- Hoffman Family Tree - NH Nicholas Hoffman
Bradley D Coon 1874-1930
BIRTH APR 1874 • Pennsylvania
DEATH 1 MAR 1930 • Wright, McKean, Pennsylvania, USA
/sse.dll?db=1030&h=330196277553&indiv=try

Record for Bradley D Coon (57) facts
20220817GHLn- Hoffman Family Tree - NH Nicholas Hoffman
Bradley D Coon 1874-1930
BIRTH APR 1874 • Pennsylvania
DEATH 1 MAR 1930 • Wright, McKean, Pennsylvania, USA
/sse.dll?db=1030&h=330196277553&indiv=try

[S487] census 1920 USA PA Potter, (Name: www.ancestry.com;), Year: 1920; Census Place: Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1648; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 132.
Record for Philo Brewster (19) facts
20240216GHLn-
Record for Bradley Coon (27) facts ...... (45)
20240216GHLn-
Philo Brewster in the 1920 United States Federal Census
date 6 January 1920
Wm C. White
Name Philo Brewster
Age 49
Birth abt 1871 Pennsylvania
Home Sweden Twp, Potter, Pa
Street Jersey Shore TurnPike
Race White
Gender Male
Relation Head
Status Widowed
Father's New York
Mother Elma Brewster
her Birth New York
English Yes
Occ Laborer
Industry Common
Home Owned
read Yes
Write Yes
Neighbors View others on page
Household
Philo Brewster 49 Head
Elma Brewster 75 Mother
Geoda Brewster 14 Son

Bradley Coon 45 Head
Katrina Coon 43 Wife
Harry Coon 11 Son
Keneth Coon 7 Son
Leona Coon 5 Daughter

Name Birth Arrival Residence
Chas F Wells New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Ellen Wells Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
George Ayers Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Herbert L Ayers Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
John Ayers Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Albert Jordan Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Bradley Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Katrina Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Harry Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Keneth Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Leona Coon Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Philo Brewster Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Elma Brewster New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Geoda Brewster Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Wm N Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Ida Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Florance Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
George Stewart Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Hoxie Roberts New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Annie Roberts Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Lydia Roberts Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Ella Roberts Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Wm Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Lula Gantzer New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Cecile Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Hazel Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Benj G Gantzer Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Henry Ruscher New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Lindy Ruscher New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Orlando Austin Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Archie Austin Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Sarah Austin Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Edgar Stewart New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Hiram Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Della Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Gerald Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Mabel Lessh Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Edward Chens Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Winne Chens Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Willard Nelson Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Ellen Nelson Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Wm S Gates Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Nancy Gates Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Lex R Boyd New York 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Anne Boyd Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Doris Boyd Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Marion Boyd Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Roy Dovell Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Louis Dovell Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA
Bernice Dovell Pennsylvania 1920 Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania, USA

Year: 1920; Census Place: Sweden, Potter, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1648; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 132

census 1920 USA PA Potter Sweden 132_5A Philo Brewster.jpg
20240216GHLn-
Philo Brewster in the 1920 United States Federal Census
date 6 January 1920
Wm C. White
Name Philo Brewster
Age 49
Birth abt 1871 Pennsylvania
Home Sweden Twp, Potter, Pa
Street Jersey Shore TurnPike
Race White
Gender Male
Relation Head
Status Widowed
Father's New York
Mother Elma Brewster
her Birth New…

[S1993] Newspapers.com: Potter Journal Leader Enterprise-, 18 Sep 1930, Thu • p1 Most Atrocious Murder in History of Potter County, Harry Coons Confesses Murdering Mildred Cass, 6 Yrs Old.
Harry Coon (1) fact
20210715GHLn-
20210715GHLn-
Clipping location on The Potter Enterprise page 1
CLIPPED FROM
The Potter Enterprise
Coudersport, Pennsylvania
18 Sep 1930, Thu • Page 1
BY wetzupdoc · 15 July 2021

Most Atrocious Murder in History of Potter County
Harry Coons Confesses Murdering Mildred Cass, 6 Yrs Old.

COUDERSPORT, 57TH YEAR MOST ATROCIOUS ...
Fiend Lures Girl of Six to Woods and Slashes Throat --Mutilates Body in Horrible Manner -- Posse of Hundreds Search Wide Territory to Find Missing Child -- Murderer Found in Abandoned House on Green Hill -- Finally Confesses Killing Girl and Makes Rough Map Showing Location of Body -- Angry Citizens Threaten to Storm Jail and Lynch Wretch.
-----
Coroner's Jury Finds Mildred Cass Came to Violent Death by Wounds Inflicted by Harry Coon -- Premeditated Murder --Committed to Jail By Coroner --Murderer Befriended By Parents of Girl He Killed -- Will No Doubt Come to Trial at Term of Court That Convenes September 29 for Most Revolting Crime Ever Perpetrated in This Section of State.

Potter County has no doubt had its full share of murders but the murder of Mildred Cass, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cass, who reside near Seven Bridges, by one Harry Coon, is the most atrocious ever recorded in this section of the Keystone State.
Little Mildred, six years old, accompanied Harry Coon to a field a half mile distant from the farm home, where Coon was sent by Mr. Cass to repair a fence. This was the last time the child was seen alive by her parents. She may have wanted to go with the man or he may have enticed her to accompany him. Night came and neither Coon nor little Mildred appeared and the parents became alarmed. They made inquiry at the homes in the vicinity but no one had seen them.
Mr. Cass came to Coudersport and notified Sheriff Shell B. Sawyer. He was advised to search all deserted buildings in the vicinity. This he did accompanied by Arthur Cole, who is employed on the Cass farm, and Tony Shaw of Oswayo. On Green Hill, in an old abandoned shack of a house, Coon was found. He was on the second floor of the ramshackle building covered by cloth and paper that had fallen from the ceiling. For a pillow he had an old automobile cushion. When he was asked, "Where is the baby" he replied by asking "What baby?" He stated he had sent the child home and after receiving some rough treatment promised to lead the father and the two men who accompanied him to the point where he had last seen the child. At one time he took the party within a very short distance of where the body was found but he hesitated and took the men to another point where he said he had sent the child home.
The father and others called repeatedly in the hope the little one might hear and answer. Coon even called and remarked, "Damn funny where she is," when he knew he had killed her and that her little body was lying in the woods in a terribly mutilated condition.
Coon was finally taken to the Cass home, bound with rope and carefully guarded until next morning - Sunday - when Sheriff Sawyer took him in chains and brought him to the county jail.
Sheriff Sawyer called many people on the telephone and asked aid in searching for the missing child. Officers were called upon, scout masters and others. At 9:00 o'clock Sunday morning the fire siren was sounded in Coudersport and hundreds of men and boys went over the hills and through the woods looking for the girl. In the meantime officers were constantly questioning Coon. Finally the prisoner admitted his crime and made a rough map of the territory on what is known as Green Hill in Allegany Township, two miles from the Cass home and thirteen miles from Coudersport. Potato fields, buckwheat fields and old roads were indicated on this crude drawing, and this led to the finding of the body. Many men had been within a short distance of the spot but it just so happened no one had found it. Ed Tucker of Colesburg was the person who made the ghastly find. With him and nearby was Delbert Snyder of Oswayo.
A signal was given and men from all directions appeared on the scene. Coroner R. K. McConeghy took charge "at this point and the remains were taken in charge by E. M. Gillon of the firm of Schutt & Gillon.
Feeling ran high. There were many fathers of little girls in that small army of men, and it is fortunate the party could not get their hands on Coon who was safely locked up in the county jail, thirteen miles away. The body was found at 2:15 Sunday afternoon.
Later in the afternoon a large number gathered near the county jail and some ugly threats were made. The jail was well manned with officers and no attempt was made to mete out summary justice to the murderer even though there were men present who could have done so and felt they had ridded the earth of a loathsome being.
The coroner's inquest was held at the court house Monday morning at 10:00 o'clock with Coroner R. K. McConeghy presiding, and District Attorney A. N. Crandall assisting in the questioning of witnesses.
The jury consisted of George D. Stocum, William C. Klein, G. F. Wright, Fred B. Cole, C. L. Lyman and J. Vernon Dieffenbacher.
A number of witnesses were sworn and questioned. Harry Cass, the father of Mildred, told of having bailed Coon out of jail, of sending him to fix the fence and of finding Coon late at night in the deserted house. Arthur Cole told of the search during Saturday night and of guarding the prisoner after returning to the Cass home. Dr. R. H. Jones, who with Dr. J. H. Page of Austin performed the autopsy, testified as to the mutilated condition of the body. Other witnesses gave their testimony. The jury visited the county jail and asked questions of Coon who would say little. When shown the knife that was in possession of the authorities he remarked "Yes, that's the knife I cut her throat with." After all the testimony was taken the jury deliberated but a short time when it agreed upon the following verdict: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Potter, ss:
An inquisition indented and taken at Coudersport in Potter County, Pennsylvania, this 15th day of September, 1930, before me, R. K. McConeghy, M. D., coroner of said county, upon the view of the body of Mildred Cass, then and there lying dead, upon the oaths of George D. Stocum, G. F. Wright, J. Vernon Dieffenbacher, William C. Klein,' C. L. Lyman and Fred B. Cole, good and lawful men of the county aforesaid; who being duly sworn to inquire on the part of the Commonwealth, when, where, how and after what manner the said Mildred Cass came to her death, do say, upon their oath and affirmation, that the said Mil dred Cass came to a violent death on Saturday, September 13, in Allegany Township by wounds inflicted by one Harry Coon who with force and arms in said Allegany Township on September 13, 1930, violently, feloniously and of his malice aforethought, did make an assault upon the said Mildred Cass and then and there feloniously and of his malice aforethought, with some sharp instrument did cut the throat of said Mildred Cass and inflict other bodily wounds upon her body and thus violently, feloniously with premeditation and of his malice aforethought then and there did kill and murder the said Mildred Cass.
Contrary to the form of the Act of Assembly in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
And the said jury aforesaid further advise that for such willful, deliberate and premeditated murder that the coroner issue his commitment to detain the said Harry Coon to answer said charge of murder before the grand jury of Potter County.
In witness whereof, as well the said coroner, as the jurors aforesaid, have to this inquisition put their hands and seals, on the day and year and at the place first above mentioned.
This document bears the signatures of the coroner and of the jurors mentioned above.
Harry Coon is a prisoner In the county jail where he has all the time there is to meditate upon his crime.
It was at first stated the murder was committed because Arthur Dole was sent to Colesburg on an errand while Coon was sent to repair the fence and that Coon wanted to make the trip; that Coon was angry and killed the little girl to spite the father. Later admissions from Coon tend to show he is a sexual pervert and that a little girl's life was sacrificed because of his brutality.
A description of the mutilation of the child's body and what followed the murder, confessed by Coon Monday afternoon, is too revolting to be published.
Harry Coon was 23 years old last April 26. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Coon both of whom are dead. He has a brother and sister in Olean, a brother near Wellsboro, a sister at Roulette and one at Oswayo.
Only a few weeks ago the country was shocked by a double murder in Niagara Falls when Charles Ross entered a small mission where he shot and killed Mrs. Ross and the evangelist as the latter left the pulpit. Ross also shot Miss Leona Coon, a sister of Mrs. Ross but Miss Coon recovered. Both Mrs. Ross and Miss Coon are sisters of the confessed murderer.
Coon has been charged with forging the name of Harry Cass on a check at Roulette upon which he and another youth secured some $30 or $40. This case is still hanging fire in the local courts.
The prisoner is about five feet, nine inches in height and weighs about 160 pounds and is of sandy complexion. He talks readily upon other subjects than his crime and appears of ordinary intelligence. It is expected he will come before the grand jury at the term of court that convenes Monday, September 29, and the public hopes there may be a prompt trial with the punishment he deserves meted out to him.
Mildred Cass was one of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cass. Funeral services were held from the family home Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock with Rev. N. Johnstone of the Baptist Church at Ulysses officiating. The funeral was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. Burial was made at Ulysses. -

ARTHUR COLE KNOWN IN WELLSVILLE
Arthur Cole, fellow farmhand of Harry Coon, confessed mur- derer of the six year old daughter of their employer, Harry Cass, in Coudersport, Pa., is not unknown to police here and county authorities.
Cole was arrested here for in- toxication last month and was sentenced to ten days in the county jail at Belmont by Police Justice P. L. O'Connor on August 15. He served his time and was discharged. Wellsville Reporter of Tuesday.

COLESBURG STORE ENTERED BY YEGGS
Steal Quantity of Shoes Clothing, Pocket Knives and Case of Eggs Ready for Shipment.
Thieves entered the general store of Ed Tucker at Colesburg Monday night and made off with merchandise estimated to be worth $150. Entrance was gained by prying open a sliding door on the east side of the building which leads into a room used for storage. From there thieves entered the store proper. It was evident the motor car used by the yeggs was left standing near the C. & P. A. station as a pair of knickers for a boy aged 14 had been dropped there, as well as one of a pair of high top shoes for a man.
The loot consisted of clothing, shoes, pocket knives and a full case of eggs packed ready for shipment.
Ray Scoville, who is employed in the store, discovered the place had been robbed when he opened the store Tuesday morning. Inquiry In the neighborhood failed to find anyone who had seen the thieves but Mrs. Birney Baker stated she heard a car shifting gears about 3:00 o'clock Tuesday morning.

LIONS WIN GAME IN BATTLE HERE
Beasts of Jungle Load Up With Players Outside Organization and Win 15 to 7. When the Farmers came to town Saturday to do battle on the ball ground at Metzger Athletic Field they found not only Lions but some artists along base ball lines who had never attended a Lions Club luncheon and wouldn't know one from a dish of chop suey. The sturdy agriculturists were not at all dismayed by the lineup and the fight was on. When the dust had settled and the notches on the stick were counted it was found the Lions had 15 runs to their credit and the Farmers 7. The Farmers took their defeat like the good sportsmen they are and immediately challenged the Lions ' for another contest, each team now having won a game. The challenge was accepted and the date set for Thursday, October 2, when the closing game of the season will be played and the question of supremacy be settled for the year. Tne game will be played at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon and no doubt there will be a larger crowd present than at either of the other games. One thing Is certain the people of Coudersport appreciate what the Farmers have done In coming here to play these games, paying their own expenses and turning all of the proceeds of the games over to the swimming pool fund.

MRS. MITCHELL HONORED Members of her family gave Mrs. Isaac Mitchell - a very pleasant surprise party, Saturday, it being her birthday. Mrs. George Mitchell presented her with a beautiful birthday cake with candles. She also received many congratulations and fine gifts from all. A delicious lunch was served and those who enjoyed this happy occasion were: Mr. and Mrs. George Mitchell and son Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Huff, Mrs. John Gabler, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Quimby, Albert Mlt chell, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Mitchell.

LEAVING FOR SOUTH AMERICA Mrs. R. H. Lehman, who has been spending some time at Williamsville, N. Y., is visiting friends in town for a few days before going on to New York City from which port she will sail for Santos, Brazil, where she will visit her son, Rev. Howard Lehman, who is stationed there as a Lutheran missionary. She will spend several months with him.

SCHOOL MEN DINE County Superintendent A. P. Ake-ley, Assistant Superintendent Paul H. Conner and all principals of the Potter County schools dined at the Hotel National Tuesday evening, followed with a very interesting meeting. Covers were laid for ten.

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	Coons, Harry murdered Margaret Cass news_PottEnt 20210715GHLn- Clipping location on The Potter Enterprise page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 18 Sep 1930, Thu • Page 1 BY wetzupdoc · 15 July 2021 Most Atrocious Murder in History of Potter County Harry Coons Confesses Murdering Mildred Cass, 6 Yrs Old. COUDERSPORT, 57TH YEAR MOST ATROCIOUS ... Fiend Lures…
	Coon, Harry executed 19301117 news_PottEnt 20210715GHLn- Harry Coon Executed by Electrocution at Rockview for Murder of 6 year old Mildred Cass. Clipping location on The Times-Mail page 1 CLIPPED FROM The Times-Mail Bedford, Indiana 17 Nov 1930, Mon • Page 1 wetzupdoc Member Photo BYwetzupdoc · 15 July 2021 GIRL'S SLAYER DIES IN CHAIR Pennsylvania Farm Hand Goes To Death Without…
	Coon, Harry Guilty 1stDegree Murder 19301002 news_PottEnt 20210806GHLn- Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1 BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021 Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. Murderer of Little Mildred Cass Learns Fate at 4:41 Yesterday Afternoon List of…
	Coon, Harry Guilty 1stDegree Murder contd 19301002 news_PottEnt 20210806GHLn- CLIPPED FROM The Potter Enterprise Coudersport, Pennsylvania 02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1 BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021 cont'd ... yesterday afternoon Judge Lewis instructed the jury as to its duties and very carefully informed them as to the law. His instructions were explicit and he was painstaking in giving them. Jury Retires at…

[S1993] Newspapers.com: Potter Journal Leader Enterprise-, 02 Oct 1930, p.1 Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair. 02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1.
Harry Coon (1) fact
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Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair.
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02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1
BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021

Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair.
Murderer of Little Mildred Cass Learns Fate at 4:41 Yesterday Afternoon List of Jurors Who Served Brief History of Case Attorney for Defendant Makes Earnest Plea Coon Unmoved Apparently When Sentenced to Die in Chair Crowds Fill Court Room and Many Cannot Gain Admittance Date of Ex ecution Must Be Fixed By Governor.

"Guilty of murder in the first degree!"
In the court room, filled to capacity, there was silence. The jury that had heard the evidence in the case of the Commonwealth versus Harry Coon had reached this verdict and at 4:41 yesterday afternoon George A. Clark, foreman, announced it to the court.
Harry Coon seemed , less nervous and less concerned than court officers, witnesses and spectators. There was no change in his expression.
The jury was polled at the request of the attorney for the defendant and each of the ten men and two women answered audibly "Yes."
The condemned man stood up and faced the court with head lowered. Asked if there was any reason why the death sentence should not be imposed upon him he did not immediately reply. In a low voice he finally answered with the monosyllable "No."
Judge Robert R. Lewis immediately thereafter at 4:46 pronounced the sentence prescribed by the act of assembly of 1913, which reads: "Such punishment in every case, must be inflicted uy causing to pass tnrougn tne Doay oi tne convict a current of electricity of intensity sufficient to cause death, and the application of such current must be continued until such convict is dead. The said punishment shall be inflicted by the warden or deputy warden of the Western Penitentiary, or by such person as the warden shall designate, in a building on land ownejj by the Commonwealth in Center County."
The case had been given to the jury and that body retired to its deliberations at 3:15.
By all means the most Important case to come before the present term 'cl court, at which Judge Robert R. ' Lewis Is presiding, has been the Coon-Cass murder case. The Enterprise has told in. recent issues the story of the murder of lit-tle Mildred Cass, the six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Cass, who reside two miles above Seven Bridges on the river road.' Eriefly told the story is as follows: Harry Coon was employed on the Cass farm. On Saturday afternoon, September 13, he was sent to a back lot to be a fence. The child accompanied him. When supper time came on the farm, and neither Coon nor little Mildred appeared the family became alarmed. Inquiry was made In the the neighborhood but no trace of the missing ones was found. About 8:00
HARRY COON
o'clock in the evening Mr. Cass came to Coudersport and notified Sheriff S. B. Sawyer. That official advised the father to return home and search all vacant or aDanaonea Duuaings oi tne vicinity. Cass did as directed, accompanied by Arthur Cole and Tony Shaw.
Find Coon in Vacant House
About midnight after going through several vacant houses they came to one on what is known as the Peter Jordan farm. This is remote from neighbors in an isolated spot and some distance from a public road. Cole and Shaw entered the building and found no one on the first floor. On the second floor under cloth and paper that had come loose from the wall and ceiling they found Coon apparently asleep.
Professed Ignorance
Coon claimed he had sent the child home and agreed to take the party where he had last seen the child At a point some two miles distant he entered a piece of woods going almost to the spot where the body was later found, but he claimed he could not be sure of his location and took the three men in a different direction.
Bound With Ropes
After traveling through woods and briars it was finally decided to take Coon to the Cass residence and hold him until next day. He was bound with ropes and a watch kept over him.
Hundreds Search for Child
Next morning Sheriff Sawyer was notified of the finding of Coon and informed that little Mildred was still missing. The fire alarm was sounded In Coudersport at 9:00 o'clock and the telephone was used in other sections and probably not less than 500 men; and boys searched the woods and fields. In the meantime officers were trying to get from Coon the story of what had happened, the man having been brought to the county jail.
Makes Confession
About 11:00 o'clock Sunday Coon confessed to having killed the child. He made a rough map and by its aid the body was found by Ed Tucker of Colesburg and Delbert Snyder of Os-wayo. The child's throat had been cut and the body horribly mutilated.
Threats of Lynching
Peeling ran high against the man who could have committed so horrible a crime. There were threats of taking the prisoner from the jail and meting out summary justice but no attempt was made to carry out these threats.
Coroner Takes Charge
Coroner R. K. . McConeghy took charge and on Monday a jury heard the evidence. It was composed of George D. Stocum, William C. Klein, George P. Wright, Fred B. Cole, C. L. Lyman and J. Vernon Dleffenbacher. This jury found Mildred Cass had come to her death at the hands of Harry Coon and he was charged" with willful, deliberate, premeditated murder. He was placed in jail on a coroner's commitment to await trial at the present term of court.
Attorney Appointed
Attorney P. A. Stebbins was ap pointed by the court to defend the prisoner, and Dr. Mitchell of Warren, was called to examine the prisoner as to his mental condition. This eminent authority found the man to be responsible for his acts.
Jury Is Selected
The panel of 41 jurors called for court this week was examined Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning and from this number nine were selected to serve on the case to be tried. The court room doors were closed and fifteen spectators were summoned. Three more were selected. The jury when completed was composed of the following with George A. Clark of Gale-ton foreman: Curt Cochran, farmer, Summit. John Beckman, laborer, Coudersport George Nickerson, farmer, Ulysses. Dana Burdick, farmer, South Sharon. Ora Kemp, farmer, Oswayo. ' W. J. Clark, farmer, Bingham. E. A. White, merchant, South Shar- of is better to of I the- All George A. Clark, car shop foreman, Galeton. Mrs. Alice Kline, housewife, Galeton. Clate Gallup, retired, Coudersport. Mrs. W. B. Hemphill, housewife, Hebron. C. L. Woodcock, laborer, Coudersport.
Court Takes Evidence
The taking of evidence began with the opening of the session at 2:00 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. Harry Cass, the father of the murdered child, was the first witness called. He was followed on the stand by Arthur Cole, Tony Shaw, Dr. J. H. Page, Dr. Ross H. Jones, Coroner R. K. McConeghy, Ed Tucker and others. There was little cross examination by Attorney Stebbins for the defendant and at the conclusion of the Commonwealth's testimony there were no witnesses for the defendant.
Attorneys Address Jury
Attorney Stebbins addressed the jury and made a plea for the defendant. He has been highly complimented for his effort in behalf of Coon. This was followed by the remarks of District Attorney Crandall who reviewed to some extent the testimony presented. Mr. Crandall con cluded his address at noon yesterday.
Court Instructs Jury
When court convened at 2:00 o'clock

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cont'd
... yesterday afternoon Judge Lewis instructed the jury as to its duties and very carefully informed them as to the law. His instructions were explicit and he was painstaking in giving them.
Jury Retires at 3:15
The jury retired at 3:15 and deliberated. Shortly after 4:00 o'clock a verdict was agreed upon and the prisoner was taken from the jail fo the court room. Its verdict is given above.
Only Third in History
This is only the third first degree verdict in the history of Potter County. It is the first one in 25 years.
The first murder was Farmer Jones who some fifty years ago killed his wife in the vicinity of Ellisburg. Jones was jailed, escaped, was recaptured and finally sold his body to physicians to be delivered after the execution by hanging. The body was taken to Whitesville where Dr. French of Coudersport and Dr. Thorpe of Whitesville dissected it.
The second murder case was that of Charles Brewster who shot his step-father, Marshall Stryker. Brewster was convicted when tried at the September term of court 25 years ago. He was executed in the jail yard here by hanging. W. A. Stevens was sheriff at that time.

Coon, Harry Guilty 1stDegree Murder 19301002 news_PottEnt
20210806GHLn-
Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair.
CLIPPED FROM
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Coudersport, Pennsylvania
02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1
BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021

Harry Coon, Guilty 1st Degree Murder, Must Die in Electric Chair.
Murderer of Little Mildred Cass Learns Fate at 4:41 Yesterday Afternoon List of…

Coon, Harry Guilty 1stDegree Murder contd 19301002 news_PottEnt
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Coudersport, Pennsylvania
02 Oct 1930, Thu • Page 1
BYwetzupdoc · 06 August 2021

cont'd
... yesterday afternoon Judge Lewis instructed the jury as to its duties and very carefully informed them as to the law. His instructions were explicit and he was painstaking in giving them.
Jury Retires at…

[S2396] newspapers.com, 1930-11-17. Harry Coon, The Times-Mail, Bedford, Indiana 17 Nov 1930, Mon • p1 GIRL'S SLAYER DIES IN CHAIR Pennsylvania Farm Hand Goes To Death Without Making Statement.
Harry Coon (1) fact
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Harry Coon Executed by Electrocution at Rockview for Murder of 6 year old Mildred Cass.
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GIRL'S SLAYER DIES IN CHAIR
Pennsylvania Farm Hand Goes To Death Without Making Statement
BELLEFONTE, Pm., Nov. 17 (AP) Harry Coon, 23-year-old-farm hand, died in the electric chair at Rockview penitentiary today for the murder of six-year-old Mildred Cass.
Coon went to the chair refusing to make any statement.
Coon was arrested on Sept. 14, of this year, the day after the slaying of the little girl, the daughter of his employer, H. D. Cass, on the farm near Coudersport.
Coon beat and stabbed the child to death and threw her body on a rubbish heap. He told authorities Cass had reprimanded him and he made up his mind to get even.

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Bedford, Indiana
17 Nov 1930, Mon • Page 1
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Coon, Harry executed 19301117 news_PottEnt
20210715GHLn-
Harry Coon Executed by Electrocution at Rockview for Murder of 6 year old Mildred Cass.
Clipping location on The Times-Mail page 1
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The Times-Mail
Bedford, Indiana
17 Nov 1930, Mon • Page 1
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BYwetzupdoc · 15 July 2021

GIRL'S SLAYER DIES IN CHAIR
Pennsylvania Farm Hand Goes To Death Without…

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